Kaitlan Walker was one of six Huskers who earned diplomas at spring commencement.

Photo by Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications

Six Huskers Earn Degrees

By NU Athletic Communications

| 05/14/2014

Six Huskers from the women’s swimming and diving team were among the 55 student-athletes who received their diplomas during spring commencement on Saturday, May 10, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Ellan Dufour achieved her degree in Fisheries and Wildlife on Saturday. She set a school record at the 2013 Big Ten Championships in the 200-yard backstroke of 1:57.23 and ended her career with 13 event titles.

Amy Herman, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, earned her degree in nutrition, exercise and health sciences. The diver from Lincoln, Neb., recorded three wins in the one-meter dive and one win in the three-meter dive to cap her final season.

Bailey Pons, a two-time Academic All-Conference selection, received her degree in English and Geology. She was a poised leader of the distance freestyle corps, notching her career best in the 1,650 freestyle at the 2014 Big Ten Championships. Pons swam a time of 16:52.75, claiming 17th overall in the event.

Mary Beth Rye, graduated with her bachelors in communication sciences. The Lincoln, Neb., native competed in three events for the Huskers, collecting best times in the 100 fly and 100 free against San Diego State in 2013.

Kristin Strecker, a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, took home her degree in Biological Sciences. She was a breaststroke specialist all four years for the Huskers and tallied over 40 top-five finishes.

Kaitlan Walker, a diving specialist, earned her degree in textiles, merchandising and fashion design. She capped her career at the 2014 Big Ten Championships with a 16th-place finish in the platform diving with a 187.55 score.

NU’s May 2014 graduates came from near and far to call Nebraska home during their careers. The group came to Lincoln from 13 states, including 22 native Nebraskans. Members of the graduating class also came from five foreign countries, including Canada, Germany, Hungary, Latvia and Singapore.

Nebraska continues to feature one of the highest graduation rates in the country, while leading the nation in the number of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (310) and NCAA Top 10 Award winners (17) across all sports.